Four Year Old Development: What to Expect at Age 4

At four years old, your child is solidly in the preschool years and showing remarkable development in every area. Four-year-olds are curious, imaginative, increasingly independent, and often highly social. They're developing the skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten while still needing plenty of play, rest, and your loving guidance.

Physical Development at Four Years AAP

Your four-year-old's body is strong and coordinated, supporting increasingly complex physical activities.

Gross motor skills are well-developed: Four-year-olds run smoothly, climb confidently, and are working on more complex movements like hopping on one foot and skipping. They can throw and catch balls with more accuracy, kick with aim, and pedal tricycles or bicycles with training wheels.

Balance is improving: Your four-year-old can stand on one foot for several seconds, walk on a balance beam with support, and hop on one foot. They enjoy activities that challenge their balance like walking on curbs or lines.

Jumping is mastered: Four-year-olds can jump with both feet together, jump over small obstacles, and jump down from steps. Some are learning to do simple jumps in patterns.

Fine motor skills advance: Your four-year-old can draw recognizable shapes and pictures, cut with scissors along lines, string small beads, and use utensils skillfully. They're developing the hand control needed for writing.

Self-care increases: Four-year-olds can dress and undress themselves (may need help with buttons and zippers), use the toilet independently, brush their teeth (with supervision), and wash their hands effectively.

Cognitive Development at Four Years CDC

Four-year-olds are eager learners with growing understanding of concepts.

Thinking is more logical: While still developing, your four-year-old's thinking is becoming more logical. They understand simple cause and effect, can follow multi-step directions, and are beginning to understand basic rules.

Memory is strong: Four-year-olds remember stories, songs, events from the past, and routines well. They can retell stories and talk about past events with reasonable accuracy.

Counting and numbers: Most four-year-olds can count to 10 or 20, understand that numbers represent quantities, and do simple counting of objects. Some begin recognizing written numbers.

Letters and early literacy: Four-year-olds often recognize many letters, especially those in their name. Some are beginning to understand that letters make sounds and words. Interest in books and "reading" continues to grow.

Time concepts develop: Four-year-olds understand concepts like morning/afternoon/night, before/after, and yesterday/today/tomorrow, though they may still confuse them sometimes.

Asking "why": The constant questions continue as four-year-olds try to understand how the world works. They're curious about everything and benefit from patient explanations.

Language Development at Four Years AAP

Language skills are quite advanced at age four.

Vocabulary is extensive: Four-year-olds typically have vocabularies of 1,000-2,000+ words and are learning new words daily through conversation and reading.

Sentences are complex: Your four-year-old speaks in sentences of 5-8+ words, uses correct grammar most of the time, and can tell stories with a beginning, middle, and end.

Strangers understand them: By age four, strangers should understand nearly all of what your child says (90%+). Pronunciation is mostly clear, though some sounds like "r," "l," "s," and "th" may still be developing.

Conversation skills are good: Four-year-olds can have extended conversations, stay on topic, ask and answer questions, and engage in back-and-forth dialogue.

Understanding of language is sophisticated: Your four-year-old understands complex sentences, jokes (sometimes), and can follow multi-step directions without gestures.

Social and Emotional Development at Four Years CDC

Four-year-olds are increasingly social and more able to manage their emotions.

Cooperative play flourishes: Four-year-olds engage in true cooperative play—playing together, taking turns, sharing materials, and working toward common goals in pretend scenarios.

Friendships are important: Four-year-olds often have preferred friends and may talk about friends at school or in the neighborhood. They begin to understand what makes a good friend.

Empathy continues developing: Your four-year-old shows concern for others, tries to comfort those who are sad, and can sometimes take another person's perspective.

Emotional regulation improves: While four-year-olds still have emotional moments, they're better at managing feelings than at three. Tantrums typically decrease, and they can often use words instead of actions.

Independence increases: Four-year-olds take pride in doing things themselves, helping with tasks, and making choices. They want to be "big kids."

Rules and fairness matter: Four-year-olds are interested in rules and may be upset when rules aren't followed or things aren't "fair." They're learning about social expectations.

Pretend Play at Four Years AAP

Pretend play is at its peak at age four.

Elaborate scenarios: Four-year-olds engage in complex pretend play with detailed storylines, multiple characters, and extended scenarios. They might play "restaurant," "space exploration," or complex family scenarios.

Imaginary friends: Some four-year-olds have imaginary friends, which is completely normal and supports creativity and emotional development.

Distinguishing reality from fantasy: While engaged in pretend play, four-year-olds are developing the ability to distinguish between real and imaginary—though they may still sometimes believe in fantasy (like Santa or the tooth fairy).

Props become less important: While four-year-olds still enjoy props for pretend play, they can increasingly use imagination alone or substitute one object for another creatively.

School Readiness CDC

Four is often the year before kindergarten, and readiness skills are developing.

Following directions: Four-year-olds can follow multi-step directions, pay attention for increasing periods, and participate in group activities.

Social skills for school: Taking turns, sharing, cooperating, and playing with peers are developing. These social skills are as important as academic skills for school success.

Early academic skills: Recognition of letters and numbers, interest in books, ability to hold a pencil, and understanding of concepts like colors, shapes, and counting all support kindergarten readiness.

Self-care for school: Using the bathroom independently, washing hands, putting on and taking off shoes and coats, and managing personal belongings are practical skills for school.

Feeding and Nutrition at Four Years AAP

Four-year-olds are competent eaters with definite preferences.

Independent eating: Four-year-olds can use utensils well, pour from small containers, and manage most eating independently.

Appetite varies: Some days four-year-olds eat a lot; other days, not much. Trust them to eat when hungry and stop when full.

Food preferences continue: Many four-year-olds remain somewhat picky but are often more willing to try new foods than at two or three. Continue offering variety without pressure.

Family meals: Eating together as a family supports healthy eating and provides valuable social and language learning time.

Sleep at Four Years NSF

Sleep patterns are usually well-established.

Total sleep needs: Four-year-olds typically need 10-13 hours of total sleep in 24 hours.

Napping varies: Some four-year-olds still nap, while others have dropped naps entirely. If your child no longer naps, an earlier bedtime may help ensure enough total sleep.

Bedtime routines: Consistent bedtime routines continue to be important. Four-year-olds can participate in reading, brushing teeth, and choosing pajamas.

Nighttime fears: Fears of the dark, monsters, or other imaginary threats are common at this age. Reassurance, nightlights, and comfort objects help.

Warning Signs to Discuss with Your Pediatrician CDC

Talk to your doctor if your four-year-old:

• Doesn't use sentences of more than three words
• Doesn't follow three-part commands
• Doesn't understand "same" and "different"
• Doesn't use "me" and "you" correctly
• Doesn't engage in pretend play
• Doesn't engage with other children
• Is not interested in interactive games
• Ignores other children or doesn't respond to people outside the family
• Has trouble with self-care tasks (dressing, using the toilet, etc.)
• Loses skills they once had

How to Support Your 4-Year-Old's Development

Read together daily: Continue reading and discussing books. Ask questions about the story and characters.

Encourage pretend play: Provide props and space for imaginative play. Join in when invited, following your child's lead.

Build social skills: Arrange playdates and opportunities for peer interaction. Help your child navigate conflicts and friendships.

Support early learning: Introduce letters, numbers, and concepts through play and everyday activities—not through drills or worksheets.

Answer questions: Even endless "why?" questions deserve patient answers. Curiosity drives learning.

Encourage independence: Let your child do things themselves, make choices, and help with tasks appropriate for their age.

The Bottom Line

Four is a wonderful age of imagination, growing independence, and blossoming social skills. Your child is becoming increasingly capable while still needing your love, guidance, and the freedom to play and explore.

Clara is here to answer questions about your 4-year-old's development!